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Almaty's historic 'Kyzyl Tan' textile building, a landmark in the heart of the city, is poised for a significant transformation. Once a bustling marketplace, the building is set to be reborn as an international center for fashion and design, breathing new life into the architectural gem.

A New Chapter for a Historic Landmark

The future of the 'Kyzyl Tan' building has been a subject of much discussion in recent years, with concerns about its preservation and potential demolition. However, city authorities have confirmed that the building will be saved and restored, ensuring its legacy continues.

The building was under the trust management of 'Kyzyl Tan Matayi' LLP since 2004. In 2023, a court terminated the agreement due to the company's failure to fulfill its obligations for the building's restoration. After a five-year legal battle, the property was transferred to Almaty Creative LLP. Despite the court's decision, the process of vacating the premises was protracted, with former tenants still occupying the space as late as January 2026.

On April 16, the Almaty Tourism Department announced that the building had been fully vacated by its tenants, paving the way for the redevelopment project.

From Textile House to Fashion Hub

Following extensive renovation, the 'Kyzyl Tan' building is expected to become a modern fashion hub. The vision is to create a creative center dedicated to fostering the fashion industry, design, and crafts. Instead of traditional retail spaces, the renovated building will serve as a platform to support Kazakhstani designers and artisans.

This hub is designed to operate as a complete ecosystem, supporting the entire creative process from idea conception to the sale of finished products. Authorities aim to leverage this initiative to help local brands achieve international recognition.

The project will provide designers, local brands, artisans, and creative teams with essential infrastructure. It will encompass a full cycle from product development to promotion and commercialization.

The planned hub will offer:

In developing this concept, authorities drew inspiration from international models, including European clusters like Fashion for Good in Amsterdam and Design District in London, as well as Asian hubs such as DDP in Seoul and PMQ in Hong Kong. The city administration is confident that this platform will boost the export potential of the domestic fashion industry.

Investment in Restoration

Before the hub's creation, the building will undergo a comprehensive restoration. The department has indicated that the project is currently in its implementation phase.

"According to the normative-project documentation, the cost of repair and restoration work is estimated at 572.2 million tenge," the department reported. This figure is approximately $1.2 million USD, based on current exchange rates.

A contractor has yet to be selected and will be chosen through an open tender process. While the Ministry of Culture and Information has approved the scientific and project documentation, the interior design and specific aesthetic elements are still to be finalized by specialists.

Timeline for Renovation

The department confirmed that the restoration work has not yet commenced. Preparatory measures are currently underway at the site, including:

These steps are crucial to prevent future emergency situations and ensure the building's structural integrity. A precise schedule for the renovation work will be announced at a later date.

Inside the New 'Kyzyl Tan'

The department's response clarified the planned internal layout of the building:

"This facility will serve not only a cultural and exhibition function but also an economic one. It will be a platform for developing creative entrepreneurship and systematically promoting Kazakhstani designers and brands in domestic and foreign markets. It will be geared towards export and integration into the international fashion industry," the department concluded.

Understanding the 'Kyzyl Tan' Textile House

According to the Almaty Tourism Department, the 'Kyzyl Tan' textile house is an architectural monument of Almaty. It was constructed in 1896, based on the design of Paul Gourdet, the chief architect of Verny in the late 19th century. In 1912, architect Andrey Zenkov partially reconstructed the building. Initially, it was a trading house owned by merchant Iskak Gabduvaliev.

During the Soviet era, military administration bodies were located here, and from 1931, it housed the 'Torgsin' store. In 1979, the building was recognized as a historical and cultural monument, and after restoration in 1981, the 'Kyzyl Tan' textile store opened its doors.

Now, a new chapter is set to begin in the history of this significant building.

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